Friday, 8 May 2009

Birthday present

Today's my birthday, and I'm old! 40, to be precise. I'm finally old enough to feel like a proper adult: lipstick, handbags, and shoes with heels will no longer intimidate me. And when I feel nervous about doing something, I'll be able to say myself "You're 40! You can do it."

I'm terrible at age-appropriate gifts, though. I've wanted to make a paper doll for ages, and what better deadline than a birthday? So here's a paper doll present for everyone who still likes to play with dolls. You can find the doll on my Flickr page (front and back and a basic dress template). Print it out, stick it to some card, and cut out. Cut a strip of card 1cm x 15cm, fold in half, and stick it into the slits in the stand. Now play textile designer with the dress!There's a sullen version of the doll too, in case the dress you make is really horrible. And the dress I decorated is here. (Yep, I cut the dress out before I remembered to scan it...)

These images seem rather large to me, but I wanted to be sure they'd print out well; this is the first time I've tried this, so if anyone has any hints for improvement, please let me know.

I'm afraid of heels, lipstick etc. still (38 1/2...) so maybe in the next year something will change. I love your pep-talk though and may need to adopt it for myself "you are 38 and a half! you can do this!"

You are going to love being 40. I'm just one year ahead of you and it's great. I keep having things like this go through my head: 'no, I don't have to put up with that cos I'm 40 now' or 'don't be so afraid, you're 40 now' and it feels so good and strong. Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday! (even if it was yesterday) I'm a couple of months behind you and also looking forward to it. On sober reflection I've decided the tattoo I promised myself when I was 25 is maybe not such a brilliant idea after all, and I fear I'll never be able to do the high heels -- but lipstick FTW!